Glorious Italy | Guided Group Tour | 17 Days

DAY 1:                                                      ROME – ASSISI – SIENA – FLORENCE 

Depart at 7:15am by deluxe coach to Assisi, a medieval town surrounded by ancient walls. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis, featuring frescoes by Giotto and Cimabue and enjoy a lunch in Assisi. Continue to Siena, UNESCO-listed and famous for its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and Palio horse race. Later, travel through Tuscany’s countryside to reach Florence. Overnight in Florence. (L*, D*) 

*Lunch is only included for departures in 2026. Dinner is only included for departures in 2025.  

DAY 2:                                                      FLORENCE 

Explore Florence, cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and Baptistery. See Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, and Santa Croce Basilica. Enjoy lunch in a traditional Tuscan restaurant. In the afternoon, choose between free time in the city or an optional visit to Pisa, with its Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli. Dinner is at leisure. Overnight in Florence. (B, L) 

DAY 3:                                                      FLORENCE – BOLOGNA – VENICE 

Depart for Bologna and enjoy a walking tour through its arcaded streets, visiting Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica of San Petronio, and historic landmarks. Delight in a light local lunch, savouring regional specialties (lunch for departures up until March 2026 is a light street food experience at a local eatery). Continue to Venice. Overnight in Venice (Mestre). (B, L)  

DAY 4:                                                      VENICE 

After breakfast, begin your day in Piazza San Marco. Visit the Doge’s Palace and stroll by the Bridge of Sighs. End the tour with a Venetian aperitif and cicchetti. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure exploring the canals. Overnight in Venice (Mestre). (B, L) 

DAY 5:                                                      VENICE – MONTEPULCIANO – ROME 

After lunch, depart Venice and travel through Tuscany to Montepulciano, a hilltop town known for “Vino Nobile” and stunning views. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, paired with a glass of fine Tuscan wine*. After lunch, take some free time before heading back to Rome, where the tour concludes. (B, L) 

*Glass of wine only included for departures from April 2026.  

DAY 6:                                                     ROME 

Enjoy a guided tour of the Vatican Museums with skip-the-line access. Discover the Galleries of Tapestries and Maps, Raphael’s Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel. Tour ends in St. Peter’s Square. Free time in the afternoon. Overnight in Rome. (B) 

DAY 7:                                                     ROME 

Enjoy breakfast, the day is at your own leisure to explore the city of Rome. Overnight in Rome. (B) 

DAY 8:                                                     ROME – SORRENTO 

Breakfast at the hotel, then early morning departure for Sorrento via Lazio and Campania. Enjoy stunning views of the Amalfi Coast. Arrive in Sorrento and check in. Afternoon at leisure for you to explore at your own pace. Dinner at the hotel and overnight in Sorrento. (B, D) 

DAY 9:                                                     SORRENTO – CAPRI – SORRENTO 

After breakfast, departure on a full-day excursion to Capri. Weather permitting, visit the Blue Grotto by rowboat. Spend time exploring the island and shopping. Return to your hotel in Sorrento for dinner and overnight. (B, D) 

DAY 10:                                                   SORRENTO – POMPEII – AT SEA 

After breakfast, depart for Pompeii and enjoy a guided tour of the archaeological site with skip-the-line access and headsets. After the visit, transfer to Naple’s port and board the overnight ferry to Palermo. No meals provided on board. Overnight on board. (B) 

DAY 11:                                                   PALERMO 

Arrive in Palermo and transfer to your hotel. Rest or explore on your own. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay in Palermo. (D)  

DAY 12:                                                   PALERMO – MONREALE – PALERMO 

Breakfast at your hotel, then morning visit to Monreale Cathedral, a UNESCO site famous for its mosaics and architecture. Return to Palermo for a city walking tour, including Palermo Cathedral and historic Old Town sites. Free time in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Palermo. (B, D) 

DAY 13:                                                   PALERMO – ERICE – MARSALA – AGRIGENTO  

After breakfast, travel to Erice, a well-preserved medieval village with ancient charm. Continue to Marsala for a light lunch and wine tasting in a traditional winery. After this flavourful experience, head to Agrigento. Visit the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO site, and explore ruins like the Temple of Concord, Hercules, and Jupiter. Check in to your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Agrigento. (B, L, D) 

DAY 14:                                                   AGRIGENTO – RAGUSA 

After breakfast, drive to Ragusa and visit the charming Ibla district. Discover Baroque treasures including the Cathedral of San Giorgio and Cosentini Palace. Check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Ragusa. (B, D) 

DAY 15:                                                   RAGUSA – NOTO – SIRACUSA – TAORMINA 

After breakfast, travel to Noto, known for its baroque architecture and restored Cathedral. Continue to Syracuse and explore Ortigia Island with its churches and palaces. Arrive in Taormina and check-in to your central hotel in Taormina. Dinner and overnight stay. (B, D)  

DAY 16:                                                   TAORMINA – MT. ETNA – TAORMINA 

After breakfast, set off to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Weather permitting, ascend to the summit (1,800 meters). Return to Taormina for an afternoon at leisure. Explore the town or relax with coastal views. Overnight in Taormina. (B) 

DAY 17:                                                   TAORMINA 

After breakfast, the tour ends. End of our services. (B) 

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR): 

ROME: HotelSan Martin, or Hotel Diana Roof Garden, or Hotel Bettoja  

FLORENCE: Hotel Raffaello, or Hotel Una Vittoria  

VENICE: HotelDelfino (Mestra area), or Hotel B&B Venezia Tronchetto (Tronchetto area) 

SORRENTO: Grand Hotel Vesuvio 

PALERMO: HotelMercure Palermo Centro Hotel 

AGRIGENTO: HotelDella Valle 

RAGUSA: HotelPoggio del Sole  

TAORMINA: Hotel Splendid, or Hotel Caesar Palace, or Hotel Giardini Naxos (only on departures; May 04 and Aug 24) 

OPTIONAL VENICE ISLAND STAY: 

An option to stay on Venice Island instead of the mainland is available, subject to a supplement, which must be requested at the time of booking.  

VENICE ISLAND: Hotel Principe, or Hotel Amadeus  

*Optional Venice Island stay is on available for departures till March 2026.  

INCLUDES: 

• 16 nights accommodation in a combination of 3 and 4* hotels
• Meals as per itinerary
• Sightseeing tours in Florence, Venice, Pompeii, Capri, Palermo and Agrigento
• Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
• Skip the line ticket to Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Square
• Skip the lime ticket to Pompeii
• Boat trip to Blue Grotto in Capri (weather permitting)
• Transfer from Palermo port to hotel
• Entrance tickets to the Cathedral of Monreale and Valley of Temples in Agrigento
• Wine tasting (only available for departures from April 2026)
• Visit to Mount Etna

EXCLUDES:  

• Entrance tickets to sites and museums (unless stated otherwise)
• City tax (to be paid directly at the hotel)
• Beverages
• Hotel taxes and or service charges
• Everything which is not mentioned in “includes”
• Gratuities

THINGS TO NOTE: 

• Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.
• Tour can be a combination of regular tours, therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.
• For operational reasons, order of itinerary and/or excursions is subject to change at any time. Optional excursions not specified in our itinerary will be suggested by the tour leader.
• Venice accommodation is in Mestre on the mainland. A supplement applies for accommodation on Venice Island which is to be requested at the time of booking.
• During peak season, visiting the Blue Grotto in Capri may involve long lines and limited capacity. If access is not possible, or the weather conditions do not allow it, our guides will suggest alternative attractions to ensure a satisfying and memorable tour (e.g., Faraglioni rocks).
• Please be aware that during the Jubilee Year (2025), certain areas within the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica may be inaccessible due to religious ceremonies. These circumstances are beyond our control.